Jim Nielsen, Covid-19 Survivor
On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, after four of the most miserable days of his life, our own Jim Nielsen was diagnosed with Covid-19. According to Jim, he doesn't know for sure how he got it, but it's the sickest he's ever been. Despite his personal suffering, which has been intense, he rallied yesterday (one of his "good days") to send this message, because he doesn't want another senior softball player (or anyone, for that matter) to go through what he's been through. His advice: Take this virus VERY seriously. Wear a mask. Be safe. You can hear Jim in his own words in this FaceTime video, recorded June 24 from Jim's basement.
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West Metro Summer 2020
Mailing Deadline for Registration is Monday!
We are happy to announce that the City of Eden Prairie has reopened their ballparks and that the board has decided conditions in Minnesota have improved enough to allow us to finally jump into our 30th season of West Metro Senior Softball! We will return to Eden Prairie’s Round Lake Park fields for a shortened summer season, running from July 14th to late August, followed by our Fall Ball season from September until the first week of November.
The park is located at 16691 Valley View Road in Eden Prairie. A map to the ballpark is available Here.
Our previously published COVID-19 safety plan has been approved by the City of Eden Prairie and we will adhere to it strictly. We’ve reconsidered one requirement and will now allow outfielders (only) to “unmask” while in the outfield. Everyone at the park will be expected to wear masks at all other times. We’re attaching the complete plan to this email and will have it available at the park for review as well.
Also attached is our 2020 West Metro Waiver of Liability. Please sign, date and return this form with your registration.
The Registration Process
Registration is now open and we’re looking forward to kicking the season off on Tuesday, July 14th, weather and field conditions permitting. This year’s reduced fee of $30 pays for the entire summer and fall festivities as well as New Hats! We will need all registrations returned by Wednesday, July 8th, so that we can put teams together for the season. If at any time, we feel that the direction of the global pandemic makes this plan unwise, we will take whatever steps are necessary, including cancellation of the season. If we need to cancel, summer registration fees will be refunded.
To register, please use the form, linked below.
NOTE: As Doc will be traveling during this time, please return your registration forms, checks & waivers to Ron Wenaas at the address on the form.
League Caps and Equipment
Part of West Metro’s charm is our league hats, with your chosen name or nickname boldly letting everyone know a name you’d like to be called! Everybody will get a new hat this season, in glamorous new colors, so be sure to let us know the name or nickname you’d like on yours! They’ll be available a couple weeks after the beginning of the summer season.
Because of issues with sanitation, we will not be able to provide batting helmets as we did last season. The 8 helmets owned by the league are available on-loan for the season on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests for the helmets can be noted on the registration forms, or by contacting Ron Wenaas at 612.418.7077 or ron.wenaas@gmail.com. If all the helmets are spoken for, we encourage you to purchase your own. (Not required, but strongly recommended) We encourage all players to provide their own bats, although we will have our league bats at the park, along with sanitizing cleaner.
The Weather Stone
To get weather alerts to you quickly and conveniently, the weather stone will be back in use on the league website and the West Metro Facebook page. Whenever the fields may be unplayable or the weather unbearable, we’ll try to have alerts posted and sent via email, Facebook and the WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger alert systems by 7:30 a.m. If it’s an “Iffy” day, the weather stone will appear at the top of the league homepage, everyone in the league will receive an email alert and, if you sign up to receive them, “WhatsApp” or “Facebook Messenger” alerts. To get those alerts, just check the “WhatsApp” or “Facebook Messenger” box on the registration form – we’ll add you to the lists.
Note: If you choose to receive WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger alerts, you’ll need the correct app on your mobile phone.
That’s all for now! Let’s get going! Send in your registration forms and your fee asap, so we can get caps ordered and everything set up for opening day.
Registration Form is available Here.
The Liability Waiver is available Here.
The League COVID-19 Safety Plan is available Here.
The park is located at 16691 Valley View Road in Eden Prairie. A map to the ballpark is available Here.
Our previously published COVID-19 safety plan has been approved by the City of Eden Prairie and we will adhere to it strictly. We’ve reconsidered one requirement and will now allow outfielders (only) to “unmask” while in the outfield. Everyone at the park will be expected to wear masks at all other times. We’re attaching the complete plan to this email and will have it available at the park for review as well.
Also attached is our 2020 West Metro Waiver of Liability. Please sign, date and return this form with your registration.
The Registration Process
Registration is now open and we’re looking forward to kicking the season off on Tuesday, July 14th, weather and field conditions permitting. This year’s reduced fee of $30 pays for the entire summer and fall festivities as well as New Hats! We will need all registrations returned by Wednesday, July 8th, so that we can put teams together for the season. If at any time, we feel that the direction of the global pandemic makes this plan unwise, we will take whatever steps are necessary, including cancellation of the season. If we need to cancel, summer registration fees will be refunded.
To register, please use the form, linked below.
NOTE: As Doc will be traveling during this time, please return your registration forms, checks & waivers to Ron Wenaas at the address on the form.
League Caps and Equipment
Part of West Metro’s charm is our league hats, with your chosen name or nickname boldly letting everyone know a name you’d like to be called! Everybody will get a new hat this season, in glamorous new colors, so be sure to let us know the name or nickname you’d like on yours! They’ll be available a couple weeks after the beginning of the summer season.
Because of issues with sanitation, we will not be able to provide batting helmets as we did last season. The 8 helmets owned by the league are available on-loan for the season on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests for the helmets can be noted on the registration forms, or by contacting Ron Wenaas at 612.418.7077 or ron.wenaas@gmail.com. If all the helmets are spoken for, we encourage you to purchase your own. (Not required, but strongly recommended) We encourage all players to provide their own bats, although we will have our league bats at the park, along with sanitizing cleaner.
The Weather Stone
To get weather alerts to you quickly and conveniently, the weather stone will be back in use on the league website and the West Metro Facebook page. Whenever the fields may be unplayable or the weather unbearable, we’ll try to have alerts posted and sent via email, Facebook and the WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger alert systems by 7:30 a.m. If it’s an “Iffy” day, the weather stone will appear at the top of the league homepage, everyone in the league will receive an email alert and, if you sign up to receive them, “WhatsApp” or “Facebook Messenger” alerts. To get those alerts, just check the “WhatsApp” or “Facebook Messenger” box on the registration form – we’ll add you to the lists.
Note: If you choose to receive WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger alerts, you’ll need the correct app on your mobile phone.
That’s all for now! Let’s get going! Send in your registration forms and your fee asap, so we can get caps ordered and everything set up for opening day.
Registration Form is available Here.
The Liability Waiver is available Here.
The League COVID-19 Safety Plan is available Here.
Special Offer from the UM Department of Physical Therapy!
Thanks to John Remington of the Roseville Senior league for the initial information and to John Hovde for checking the process out, we're happy to forward this to everyone in our league. This is a limited time offer, so act fast if you're interested!
The University of Minnesota, Division of Physical Therapy students and faculty are offering free online, video based physical therapy visits, commonly referred to as "telePT".
Online visits will be conducted through secure, online video conferencing software. Each visit will be conducted by a student physical therapist and supervised by a licensed physical therapist who is a University of Minnesota Division of Physical Therapy faculty member.
Individuals will be given a video based examination, and provided with recommendations to address their reasons for seeking physical therapy services.
Interested individuals should click on this link to review a consent form to receive online physical therapy services.
The University of Minnesota, Division of Physical Therapy students and faculty are offering free online, video based physical therapy visits, commonly referred to as "telePT".
Online visits will be conducted through secure, online video conferencing software. Each visit will be conducted by a student physical therapist and supervised by a licensed physical therapist who is a University of Minnesota Division of Physical Therapy faculty member.
Individuals will be given a video based examination, and provided with recommendations to address their reasons for seeking physical therapy services.
Interested individuals should click on this link to review a consent form to receive online physical therapy services.
A Gift from Mike
Mike Marrinan attended a softball training session and wants to share what he learned! Here's a note, followed by a YouTube link that could help us all become better hitters! Thanks, Mike!
"I was invited to a Senior Softball Hitting Clinic hosted by Alan Tanner in Florida.
Alan is an elite Major plus softball player and a great ambassador of our game.
He posted this Video back in December of 2018. It's about an hour long.
I learned a lot and it is a lot to absorb. My hope is that anyone that watches this video can pick up something that makes them a better player."
- Mike Marrinan
Click here or on the Photo to see the video!
"I was invited to a Senior Softball Hitting Clinic hosted by Alan Tanner in Florida.
Alan is an elite Major plus softball player and a great ambassador of our game.
He posted this Video back in December of 2018. It's about an hour long.
I learned a lot and it is a lot to absorb. My hope is that anyone that watches this video can pick up something that makes them a better player."
- Mike Marrinan
Click here or on the Photo to see the video!
Looking for Bats or other Softball gear? We have several sources in the league! Support your local entrepreneurs...
Check them Out!
Check them Out!
Welcome!
Are you over 50 and looking to play some ball? Check out this video.
Got info you'd like to share with the league? Why not send a note to the webmaster?
Important Links
Northwoods Division Summer Rules are Here...
National Division Summer Rules are Here...
Manager's Resources & Notes are Here
Did You Just Find Us? Or Forget to Sign-up? You Can Register and Join the League Anytime
General Summer Registration Information is available here
Want to know how we Operate? Go here!
The Registration Form is right here!
Our Liability Waiver is here. (required before participating...also available at the park.)
Northwoods Division Summer Rules are Here...
National Division Summer Rules are Here...
Manager's Resources & Notes are Here
Did You Just Find Us? Or Forget to Sign-up? You Can Register and Join the League Anytime
General Summer Registration Information is available here
Want to know how we Operate? Go here!
The Registration Form is right here!
Our Liability Waiver is here. (required before participating...also available at the park.)
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Double your pleasure with two slow motion videos! |
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Recorded at the Stardome on Jan. 17, 2019. Shot and edited by Gary Bingner of Quasimodo Advertising and Hold Tight Video.
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Shot Dec. 20, 2018 at the Stardome.
High-speed softball action, slowed down for your viewing pleasure. |
A music video for all you winners out there. |
Talkin' Senior Softball, Dec. 2017. |
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Get the New Year off to a winning start with this music video shot at the Holy Angels Dome in Richfield. (Music: Game Winner by Vulfpeck)
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At our end-of-year VFW lunch, we chatted with a few enthusiastic players about what they love about West Metro Senior Softball.
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The Weather Stone
Click The Stone for Current Weather & Forecasts
Well, not exactly a "Weather" event, but if you started at the top of this page, you know that we're in an indefinite delay to playing ball this spring & summer... Dang.
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